Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
It all became abundantly apparent with just that one statement.
The reason Edwina had seemed so off, why his family seemed to be hiding something from Isaac, who they knew would tell him immediately.
Edwina didn’t just come for a visit. She came to introduce her new partner to the family. And they didn’t want him to know.
Pushing to his feet, he studied the group watching them. Now that he was taking in more than just his children, he could see Edwina on the porch with her parents, standing next to a man he was all too familiar with.
Dylwin Indecis had been a couple years below him in school.
He was a hot head, always looking to prove himself as the best and brightest. He joined the military straight out of school and was beyond pissed when he was denied entry into the elite unit.
The unit Alistair led before he was released from the military.
It shouldn’t have surprised him that the minute he was out of the picture, Dilwyn would swoop in to seduce his ex.
That part didn’t bother him. What bothered him was having Dilwyn anywhere near his kids.
He’d teach them advanced level magic just because Alistair said no, and he’d encourage them to join the military, because he believed anyone who didn’t was beneath him.
Alistair didn’t want that asshole anywhere near his kids.
For the first time in a week, his magic swelled, burning at his wrists as the blockers worked overtime to keep him in check.
It wasn’t until Elijah touched his arm and a wash of his warm comforting magic overtook him that he could bring himself back down.
Apparently his blockers were working so hard to keep his magic under control that a little of Elijah’s magic slipped between the cracks.
“Alistair?”
Drawing in a deep breath, he gave his focus to Elijah. “I’m alright.”
Hazel eyes studied him for a long moment before Elijah nodded. “Okay.”
Forcing himself to ignore the people staring at him on the porch, he instead introduced Elijah to his children. “Thayer, Hazel. This is Elijah. Eli, this is Thayer, and this clingy little monkey is Hazel. They’re twins.”
Alistair had noticed early on that Elijah didn’t offer to shake hands first. Too afraid of repeated rejection because of his magic. So it looked like it surprised him when Thayer jutted his hand out, shaking it with the roughness of an overexcited ten year old.
“Hi, I’m Thayer. I’m ten. I can do magic. Can you do magic?”
A soft smile overtook Elijah, and he kneeled down to be more on Thayer’s level as he answered his questions. “Hello, Thayer. Yes, I can do magic but not like yours. I saw your wind spell before. That must have been a challenge to learn. You should be proud of yourself.”
Thayer lifted his chin and puffed up his chest with pride, nodding sharply. “None of the other kids at school can do that spell. Only me.” He jabbed himself in the chest with his thumb.
This was another reason Alistair didn't want his kids learning high level magic before they were of age. He didn’t want them becoming conceited and overconfident. That kind of mindset could put them at risk if he couldn’t convince them not to join the military like he had.
“What else can you do?” Elijah asked, smoothly moving the conversation away from what was making Alistair uncomfortable without dismissing Thayer completely. “Are there any other subjects in school that you excel in?”
Thayer thought about it for a moment before nodding. “My teacher said I’m good at science.”
Elijah smiled encouragingly. “That’s good. There are a lot of good jobs out there that have to do with science. I’m a twin too, and my brother is a scientific researcher. He uses science to invent new things.”
That caught both his kids’ attention, and Hazel lifted her head, listening intently as Elijah answered Thayer’s questions about what kind of inventions his brother had created and how hard it was to learn to do it.
He was patient and honest about the work his brother needed to put in, but he didn't make it seem so far fetched that the children lost interest. Alistair was grateful for the change in topic and mouthed a silent “thank you” at Elijah when he looked up at him.
“My teacher said I’m good at math,” Hazel said quietly, her eyes still red rimmed from crying. “Can I still invent things?”
Elijah nodded seriously. “Oh, definitely. Math is incredibly important with inventing. It’s a good skill to have, too. I struggled with math in school. My brother had to tutor me.”
Thayer wrinkled his nose distastefully. “But you were in the same grade, right?”
“Yes, but we all have things we’re good at.
Hugo was good at math and science. I was better with writing.
You should see his handwriting. It’s nearly impossible to read.
” He winked, causing the kids to burst into giggles.
Hazel wiggled to get down but kept a hand on Alistair’s pant leg while she talked with Elijah about attempting to help her brother with math and him getting mad at her.
Elijah took it in stride, acknowledging them both without making either feel bad.
Alistair relaxed a little more, enough so that when his grandmother came to join them, he didn’t feel like he was going to lose his temper.
She sidled up to his side, her voice low so she didn’t interrupt the conversation between Elijah and the children.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blindside you.
I was unaware of the situation until she arrived just before you did.
She was tightlipped about it until now, only told me there was something she wished to discuss while the visit was happening. ”
“Why is he here?” he asked tightly, trying to keep his focus on Elijah and the kids so he could keep his head. Whenever he got too emotional, Elijah looked up, and one smile from the gorgeous man with the auburn hair settled him again.
“She wanted to introduce him to the family,” his grandmother told him. “They’re getting married.”
Stiffening, Alistair slowly turned to face her. “What?”
His grandmother nodded grimly. “Her family thinks it's a good match. I believe they hope to maintain their connection with us after their wedding.” She scoffed. “As if I’d allow that. The only way Edwina and her family would maintain their relationship with us would be if she dropped this nonsense and came back to you. It was abhorrent the way she left you while you were struggling.”
“That’s not going to happen,” he ground out harshly.
He would never even consider it. Not after he had experienced the kind of connection he felt with Elijah.
He was finally experiencing a relationship filled with warmth and laughter and mutual respect.
Nothing Edwina could say or do would make him consider returning to their cold, emotionless marriage.
He didn’t want his kids to think that was what marriage should be like.
They should want more than to be someone’s trophy for bragging rights.
His grandmother cast him a sidelong glance but chose not to speak more on the subject, instead tipping her head toward Elijah. “Who did you bring with you?”
When they’d originally discussed coming out here, Alistair had considered keeping their relationship to himself.
He didn’t want to put too much pressure on them so soon, nor did he want Elijah put under the microscope on their first introduction.
But he didn't want to pretend they were nothing either. It frustrated him, and he hadn’t decided which direction he’d go until he saw his ex and her new boyfriend standing on the front porch.
“His name is Elijah Washburne. He’s here to support me.”
While he didn’t outright say it, his meaning was clear. He didn’t want Elijah pitted against Dilwyn, but he wouldn’t tolerate anyone treating him like an outcast either.
His grandmother, always a smart woman, picked up on his meaning immediately. “I’m assuming you are keeping that to yourself for the time being?”
“We’ve only been seeing each other a week,” was his terse reply.
Thankfully, she understood his vague answers were for Elijah’s protection. Especially while Edwina’s family was here. They already couldn’t stand Alistair. If they thought they could get away with it, they’d treat Elijah poorly just for being associated with him. Alistair wouldn’t allow that.
“We’ll keep your connection to ourselves for now,” his grandmother agreed. “Let’s head out back. The rest of the family is here. I know your mother is anxious to see that you’re well.”
He grunted in agreement, reaching down to scoop his kids back into his arms. They both squealed as he tossed them over his shoulders like two small bags of potatoes, giggling as he pretended he couldn’t hear them and looked around with a frown.
“Have you seen my kids? They’re short, kind of cute, but a little mischievous.”
Elijah pushed to his feet, his lips pressed together in a poor attempt to hide his smile. “Sounds like someone else I know. No, I haven’t seen them.”
Alistair’s mouth dropped open in offense. “I’m not short.”
“Shorter than me,” he pointed out with a smug smirk.
“Ohh, you’re gonna get it for that,” he grinned, setting his kids on their feet again. “Kids. Get him.”
To his credit, Elijah didn’t hesitate. He darted out of the way but instead of heading toward the backyard, he made a beeline for Isaac, who pushed him behind Maverick and stood with his arms crossed and a fake scowl that nearly made Alistair laugh out loud.
“You wanna get to my friend, you’re gonna have to go through me,” Isaac mock growled.
Both kids looked up at Alistair curiously. Alistair shrugged. “I guess you’re gonna have to go through him.”
“Oh, crap,” he muttered, then made a mad dash toward the backyard, dragging Elijah with a grip on his wrist. Maverick just watched on with mild amusement, following their grandmother and Alistair toward the backyard.
“Just you wait. Soon it will be your turn,” his grandmother commented, poking Maverick in the ribs like he wasn’t a dragon with a temper. According to Isaac, he was calmer now that he was mated, but Alistair had heard a fair few stories since working at Spellbound, and his temper was legendary.
Maverick didn’t respond to the tease outside of, “Not any time soon. He needs to get established in his career first. We have time.”
Their mother might take issue with that, but their grandmother was more relaxed about that kind of thing.
She shrugged, using a little magic to stir up trouble for Isaac when he tried to head for the forest. He squawked in protest, the wind tossing him on his butt, but he was tackled by the twins before he could do more than shout.
“Cheater!”
“Go on,” his grandmother urged Alistair, jerking her chin toward where his little brother and his children played with Elijah watching with a bright smile. “Go have fun. I’ll deal with Edwina.”
A part of him thought he should protest, he needed to confront Dilwyn about interfering with his kids, but then he remembered his purpose for coming here. He wanted to see his kids, not argue with an idiot.
“Thank you. I’ll take you up on that.”
Surprise and pride lit up her face, but he walked away before she could say anything.
It wasn’t that long ago that he refused to accept help from anyone.
Isaac wouldn’t leave him alone until he allowed it, and Elijah helped him without even realizing it.
He could let go enough to let his family help him too.